Dimitri Kazionov

Name: Dimitri Kazionov
Position: Center/Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 6.04
Weight: 185 lbs
Born: 5/13/84
Acquired: 2002 Entry Draft, 4th Round, 100 Overall

Junior Career
Dimitri Kazionov began his career with the Dynamo hockey school in the capitol city of Moscow where he made his debut as a 16 year old with the clubs Farm League team in 1999-2000 scoring 1 goal in 2 games. The following year Kazionov was loaned to Upper League club Tver where he had 1 goal and 2 points in 33 games with a -9 rating and 4 penalty minutes. In 2001-2002 Kazionov moved to the CSKA organization briefly splitting time between their Farm League and Upper League teams before moving on to Togliatti in the Superleague. In 11 games with CSKA's Farm Team Kazionov had 1 goal and 2 points with 4 penalty minutes. In 2 games with CSKA's Upper League team he had 1 assist and was +1. And, with Togliatti, Kazionov was scoreless in 3 games. Kazionov did make the slver medal winning Russian World Junior Championships U-18 team at season's end where he was scoreless in 1 game and by the summer Kazionov was rated the 35th best European skater prospect by the NHL Central Scouting. The Lightning drafted Kazionov early in the 4th round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and Kingston selected the young Russian with the 37th overall pick in the 2002 CHL Import Draft. Kazionov opted to stay in Russia rather than play for the Frontenacs and in 2002-2003 Kazionov spent much of the year with Togliatti's Farm League team scoring 14 goals and 27 points in 34 games with 26 penalty minutes and a +27 rating. Kazionov also played 5 games at the Superleague level that year notching 1 assist and 4 penalty minutes with a +2 rating. 2003-2004 was Kazionov's first full season in the Superleague scoring 5 goals and 10 points in 47 games with 34 penalty minutes and a +5 rating. Kazionov was also scoreless with a -1 rating and 4 penalty minutes in the Superleague playoffs that year and he spent a brief 9 games at the Farm League level scoring 3 goals and 5 points. At midseason Kazionov was selected to represent Russia at the U-20 World Junior Championships where he had 1 goal and 2 points with 2 penalty minutes and a +1 rating in a fourth line role. In 2004-2005, during the lockout, Kazionov had 3 goals and 10 points with 32 penalty minutes in 46 games with Togliatti before going scoreless in 2 playoff games. He also scored 1 goal in a brief 2 game stint in the Farm League that year. In 2005-2006 Dimitri Kazionov split his season between Togliatti and Dynamo, who acquired Dimitri at midseason in the wake of massive budget cuts in Togliatti. All together Kazionov had 2 goals and 7 points in 40 games with 42 penalty minutes and a -11 rating before scoring 1 goal in 4 playoff games with Dynamo. Dimitri transferred to Kazan of the Supperleague in the summer of 2006 where he has established a reputation as one of the better two-way players in the Superleague. In 48 games with Ak-Bars, Dimitri had 10 goals and 21 points with 34 penalty minutes helping Kazan win the Superleague's regular season title and advance to the championship series during the Superleague playoffs where they lost to Magnitogorsk.

Professional Career
Kazionov was rumored to be interested in coming to North America along with his younger brother Denis to begin his professional career in the Lightning organization during the 2007-2008 season. Unfortunately the brothers did not make the move and it remains uncertain when Kazionov will make the move to North America, if he ever does.

Talent Analysis
Pros:
Kazionov is versatile and experienced having played a role as both a scoring and a checking liner at both center and wing in the Superleague. He is a good skater with a good sized frame and an above average skill set.

Cons:
Kazionov has a slight build and needs to bulk up to compete in more physical North American hockey. He has offensive ability but seems more comfortable in a defensive role.

Future
With such a high level of Superleague experience as a checking liner, Kazionov might make a quick transition into the same role as an NHLer. However, that hinges on Dimitri making the commitment to come to North America.

Statistics Courtesy hockeydb.com

Profile Created 2/21/07 by Pete Choquette